Proposal

Narrative

Imagine walking into your research, entering an immersive display where the work surrounds viewers on all four walls, with sound and interactive touch features. This type of classroom would allow students to learn new material in an engaging way, develop the new technology skills needed for careers in the 21st century, and communicate their research work to broader audiences. This grant would support the purchase of the hardware and software components to make such experiences possible, building a portable interactive 360* projection display system for use by FAU university students to create immersive, technology-driven educational experiences. By equipping the social science division of the Honors College with advanced projectors and interactive displays, this grant enables two benefits to students at FAU. First, faculty would be able to use the system to enhance student learning, as classroom engagement technologies that create new dynamic visualizations of complex social issues, turning the sharing of data and theory into accessible, engaging narratives. Second, students would be able to train on the devices to present their own research in ways that invite public understanding and participation. The large-scale multimedia projections of interactive maps, data visualizations, and more created by this set-up would allow audiences to explore patterns in social science data firsthand. Replacing static posters or slides, the use of these projectors can help research presentations to become a living experience that sparks conversation, collaboration, and reflection. The set-up would be portable to allow for its use in multiple campus labs, classrooms, conferences, and/or community engagement settings (e.g. showcasing university work at local museums or libraries). Thus, the purchase of this equipment will help students to both learn and demonstrate the relevance of academic research to real-world challenges, while developing marketable technology skills.

Facilities

N/A

Hardware Requirements

The hardware components needed to build such a system include: 1. Nebula X1 4K Triple Laser Projector with Micro Gimbal-- four high quality laser projectors with sound systems, to project high quality graphics and sound on all four walls of a room, with carry cases and sound accessories ($3,398.00 X 4= $13,592.00) 2. Mimio Teach Wireless Interactive Whiteboard System- a portable sensor technology that is compatible with Nebula projects and laptop, and turns a wall into interactive digital whiteboard with stylus and interactive software, two devices to transform two walls or two separate wall sections ($1,114.35 X 2= $2,228.70) 3. Matrox QuadHead2Go Q155 Multi-Monitor Controller Appliance- a multi-monitor controller appliance which allows the use to use four separate HD displays from a single video signal, includes controlling software with purchase ($1,285.00) 4. Orbbec Astra 2- a structured light 3D camera that allows for interactive tracking in floor and wall displays, compatible with LUMOPlay software, and compatible with Nebula projector ($353) 5. Alienware 18 Area-51 Gaming Laptop- laptop with a high-end graphics card and processor running Windows 11 to support the software that runs the projectors through the Matrox controller appliance ($5,449.99) 6. Adjustable Black Totem Moving Head Light Stand- Four 8ft tall heavy duty portable lighting equipment stands to mount the projectors and display tech array; these can be assembled and disassembled relatively easily for moving equipment ($259.95 X 4= $1,039.80) 7. Rockville DJ Equipment Transport Roller Cart/ Portable workstation- heavy duty cart that has accessory bags for equipment transport and storage, and transforms into a mobile workstation for the laptop and display controllers during use of the system ($382.70)

Software Requirements

A majority of the software needed for this system is included with the hardware purchases (display controller and interactive board adaptor), however one additional subscription is needed: -LUMOplay interactive floor and wall software- 3 years of subscription to software with hundreds of customizable apps for interactive exhibits ($585.10 X 3 = $1755.30)

Personnel Costs

N/A

Other Costs

N/A

Timeline

Purchase of the equipment will take place in Summer and Fall 2026; the assembly of the system will be completed during the 2026/2027 academic year. The software subscription will last for 3 years (2026-2029) to enable faculty and student project development of programs during this time.

Sustainability

The hardware purchased with this grant should last for over a decade, particularly since the projectors are laser rather than lamp based (and do not require bulb or other replacement parts). The array upkeep will be maintained by Dr. Fewkes, and will housed in an Honors College lab equipment room to ensure proper storage. The 3-year span for the software subscription will enable faculty and students to create new exploratory works that should be completed during that time period. The produced works will be internationally competitive productions that can be used to support future applications for outside technology grants, thus this grant would act as a seed grant.

Resource Matching

All personnel, space, and tech support needs will be met by the Honors College faculty.

Implementing Organization

Wilkes Honors College